This is such a brilliant project bringing VR content and content creation to nine library services in England. @thespacearts.bsky.social

Saving tech from the bros

What is the role of public libraries in developing technology? A new project aims to transform the way communities interact with digital creativity.

cilip.org.uk

Well that's a new playlist sorted! Fun and interesting piece by @martinoconnor.bsky.social. And a nice shout out for Get It Loud in Libraries. getitloudinlibraries.com

Ten great Records about Libraries

I was recently asked to contribute to the Vinylthon Zine , part of Vinylthon 2025 — an annual celebration where radio stations around the wo...

libfocus.com

Our webinar on the new Libraries Development Framework is now available to watch back in full. @biblioluke.bsky.social from Arts Council England, which will administer the Framework, takes you through the key questions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTlQ...

Launch of the Libraries Development Framework | Libraries Connected Webinars | 2025

YouTube video by Libraries Connected

youtube.com

Interesting to read in this article that there still seems to be work to do in getting the message out about what a modern library service does/looks like and their offer to children and young people in the UK.

Looking for activities during the school holidays? Find out what’s on offer at your local library and customise your search by event type, distance and facilities (inc cafés) via #LibraryOn. Funded by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social and powered by @britishlibrary.bsky.social libraryon.org/events

Register your interest for the Call for Discussion Papers: Global (Dis)Order. This is a paid commissioning opportunity allowing researchers to produce crucial evidence-based discussion papers on the topic of Global (Dis)Order. Find out more:

Call for Discussion Papers: Global (Dis)Order

thebritishacademy.ac.uk

Interesting to read about @harvardlibrary.bsky.social's Collections Explorer will break through the limitations of keyword search to decipher the intent behind your words. It will allow you to ask questions and carry out your search in natural language.

At Harvard Library, building a tool that understands — Harvard Gazette

New AI search system deciphers intent behind the terms — lets users ask questions.

news.harvard.edu

📢 📢 Take a look English public libraries’ folk. The next round of the Libraries Improvement Fund is heading your way. The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) will open for expressions of interest on Tuesday 6 May 2025. Full guidance on @artscouncilengland.bsky.social’s website. 👇 👇

Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) Round 4 Guidance for applicants

Guidance for applicants for the Libraries Improvement Fund round 4

artscouncil.org.uk

"The key to engaging a broader range of families lies in building trust and collaborating with communities to understand their needs and aspirations." We often talk of libraries as open and accessible spaces but it is helpful to be reminded that this isn't always the case and there is work to do.

Many families may not feel welcome at library storytimes – here’s how to ensure everyone benefits from them

Library reading sessions tend to be attended by families who already engage with books at home

theconversation.com

More insightful, interesting and frankly just cool work being done by @librarieshacked.bsky.social with Lancashire County Council and their public libraries data

Libraries Hacked@librarieshacked.bsky.social · 2y ago

Released today on Library Storytelling - The membership of Lancashire Libraries. www.librarystorytelling.net/the-membersh... Lancashire were brilliant and open to exploring types of library usage, the deprivation levels alongside % population of membership, as well as the urban/rural divide.

Released today on Library Storytelling - The membership of Lancashire Libraries. www.librarystorytelling.net/the-membersh... Lancashire were brilliant and open to exploring types of library usage, the deprivation levels alongside % population of membership, as well as the urban/rural divide.

Hopefully for anyone who likes a library data story @biblioluke.bsky.social @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social @lizcwhite.bsky.social @iainmoore.bsky.social "30% of registered PNET users reside in areas of the very highest deprivation ... A clear display of need being met by library services."

‘Inspiring the Nation: 300 years of Libraries in Scotland’, Maeshowe Visitor Centre from Friday 7 March to Sunday 25 May 2025. Entry to the exhibition is free and no booking is required. In case you needed any other excuses to visit Edinburgh and join the @natlibscot.bsky.social celebrations!

History of Scotland’s Libraries Explored in New Exhibition

Maeshowe Visitor Centre is today (Friday 7 March 2025) welcoming a brand-new exhibition celebrating Scotland’s libraries.

historicenvironment.scot

Looking forward to heading to Exeter on Thursday to join @librariesunlimited.bsky.social's staff conference to hear more about the impact their libraries and library staff are having in the communities they support. #LetsCreate #ACEsupported

Devon & Torbay Libraries generate millions

Libraries in Devon and Torbay delivered £23.9m in social value last year, supporting communities through health services, education, and cultural programmes

exetertoday.co.uk

It’s party time at the wonderful Swiss Cottage Library celebrating the library’s 60th birthday on World Book Day! What a beautiful children’s library. Come and see it and the brilliant ‘Swiss at Sixty’ exhibition detailing the history of the library.

Always helpful to have good quality, representative and insightful data, this time, to highlight the important role of libraries in digital access, equity and skills. Take a look at @lorensbergs.bsky.social Public Libraries 2024 survey results 👇

Public Libraries 2024: Netloan Survey Results - Lorensbergs

The latest results from the annual Netloan public library survey illustrate the importance of good access and support in how services are provided. The

lorensbergs.co.uk

“Over that time councils also made deep cuts to discretionary services – such as libraries and road maintenance.” Still a lot of work to do get the message out there. Libraries are not discretionary. They are statutory critical infrastructure with empathetic knowledgeable staff!

Almost half of England’s councils ‘could face bankruptcy over £4.6bn deficit’

Damning National Audit Office report says action is needed to address deficit accumulated under Tory-era policy

theguardian.com

Our next Members' Day is looking good! Free to staff at all member orgs, where we'll talk about library advocacy, bibliotherapy & more. Guest speakers include Luke Burton (@biblioluke.bsky.social), Rebecca Bolton (Chair of Libraries Connected SW), & Tabitha Witherick (@tabisw.bsky.social) (1/2)

Members' Day

SWRLS members are invited to register for free to join our event on Friday 25th June 2025, 10:30 - 15:00

eventbrite.co.uk

Simon Watts nails the vision for how libraries can support inclusive innovation by providing "a vibrant community workspace that would welcome a range of social demographics and support makers in their creative endeavors."

IdeaSpace, a Makerspace Unlike Any Other

A story about an award-winning makerspace in Virginia

medium.com

Really interesting to see the UK government publishing the first steps of a new Digital Inclusion Action Plan. #Libraries, it's time to shout about the work you've all being doing to support digital inclusion!

🎉🎉Congrats to all the successful recipients!

Libraries Connected@librariesconnected.org.uk · 2y ago

Congratulations to the recipients of our second round of microgrants, funded by @artscouncilengland.bsky.social. Read about the successful projects here: www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/second-...

**Libraries Funding!** Great to see another round of LIF from arts council - capital funding for library buildings and tech. Has made some amazing library projects possible in the past so expecting some more great things from this round!

Luke Burton@biblioluke.bsky.social · 2y ago

📢📢Take a look libraries people in England. A fourth round of the Libraries Improvement Fund worth £5.5 million is heading your way. It will enable public library services across England to upgrade buildings and technology. 👇👇

📢📢Take a look libraries people in England. A fourth round of the Libraries Improvement Fund worth £5.5 million is heading your way. It will enable public library services across England to upgrade buildings and technology. 👇👇

Major investment to boost growth and cement Britain’s place as cultural powerhouse

Over £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in major boost for growth

gov.uk

This is a fab list - but remember the best library is your local one! Get in there and see what they’re offering - it will be more than you expect!

Luke Burton@biblioluke.bsky.social · 2y ago

Quite the list of libraries and congrats to them all for making the regional and country finalists list!

Quite the list of libraries and congrats to them all for making the regional and country finalists list!

The British Book Awards 2025 Library of the Year regional and country finalists announced

Manchester Libraries, Lambeth Libraries and Hertfordshire Libraries are among the 36 libraries selected as regional and country finalists for The British Book Awards 2025 Library of the Year.

thebookseller.com

A new edition of The Arts Dividend: How Investment in Culture Creates Happier Lives by @henleydarren.bsky.social has been published. Read this blog post on @artscouncilengland.bsky.social website to hear more from Darren.

The Arts Dividend: How Investment in Culture Creates Happier Lives

Our Chief Executive Darren Henley speaks about the new edition of his book 'The Arts Dividend: How Investment in Culture Creates Happier Lives' and how it makes the case for investment in arts and cul...

artscouncil.org.uk

"Staff working in galleries, libraries, archives and museums around the UK will soon be able to ask The National Archives for help funding community-led research projects, following a generous £1 million award by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)."

The National Archives to establish new hub for community-led research in the cultural heritage sector - The National Archives

Staff working in galleries, libraries, archives and museums around the UK will soon be able to ask The National Archives for help funding community-led research projects, following a generous £1 milli...

nationalarchives.gov.uk

Sounds like a good way to celebrate your 100th year!

West Sussex: VR project set up for library service's 100th year

West Sussex Library Service is celebrating its 100th anniversary since launching.

bbc.co.uk

This is a wonderful read. An ode to libraries and great example of how libraries shape lives and careers. A constant companion. Thanks for sharing @aminatshah.bsky.social! @natlibscot.bsky.social